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[–]Thants 12 points13 points ago

If you can't taste a difference then it doesn't make a difference. ;)

The argument for not reboiling water, as -pH said, is that the dissolved oxygen level in the water will be significantly decreased, which will affect the taste. (My suspicion is that the oxygen reacts with compounds to form oxygen-including functional groups on the tea compound, thus increasing its polarity and its solubility as a result. This is similar to how your body deals with some nonpolar chemicals.)

But if you don't use the water for a long enough period of time (how long? I don't know and I'm too lazy to model it if no one's telling me to do it...), then eventually the DO level will return back to an acceptable level (although not necessarily the level it was at when it was first poured -- a lot of faucets have low flow aerators, which would lead to water that is supersaturated with DO).

tl;dr: chemistry

[–]graverubber 2 points3 points ago

I've always been curious if filtered water, like from a Brita has a reduced oxygen level. Anyone?

[–]EnvEngr 3 points4 points ago

Brita filters uses an activated carbon filter that traps certain metals, ions, and organics. It does not effect the oxygen level of the water. However, the oxygen level of your water may be affected by an aerator that is installed on your tap; Otherwise the oxygen in the water will be at equilibrium with the atmosphere (9 mg/L)

Citation: My major (Environmental Engineering) and my field of study (Water Quality).

[–]graverubber 0 points1 point ago

Thanks!

[–]Thants 0 points1 point ago*

Oh cool, an EnvE brother/sister. :)

How far along are you? I'm at the end of my schooling. Got my design project, thesis, and EIT exam all in the next four months. :(

[–]EnvEngr 1 point2 points ago

I'm in grad school, finishing up my masters this year actually. Got my EIT done three years ago now... damn I feel old.

[–]Sukiari 1 point2 points ago

Actually, inside a closed kettle, the chances of the oxygen levels returning to anything resembling normal, aerated tap water within a reasonable amount of time approaches nil.

[–]-pH 7 points8 points ago

after the first boil the dissolved oxygen in the water will be gone, affecting the taste.

[–]Sukiari 1 point2 points ago

Yep. In tea parlance the water can be said to be dead.

[–]ssjaken 4 points5 points ago

This kills the water.

[–]graverubber 0 points1 point ago

Or old, i.e. no longer 'young' water.

[–]veggie_sorry 0 points1 point ago

hmm. that could be true, but I've drank tea for many years and never noticed a difference. I usually replace it if it's been sitting there for longer than a day or so but if it's w/in 24hrs, I typically don't.

[–]DoctorCrouchJrWho 0 points1 point ago

This is very good to know. I was not aware of this. Thank you :)

[–]AxisOfAwesome 2 points3 points ago

My girlfriend pours out the water between boils, and but I think this is crazy and wasteful. I've never been able to taste a difference.

[–]Thants 2 points3 points ago

She should boil less water in that case. There are some pretty cheap electric kettles that have volume markings. I find that the minimum line on the one I linked to pretty near perfect for an average size mug.

[–]Sukiari 5 points6 points ago

The cheap electric kettles make your tea taste like plastic.

If you are going to get one, get one with stainless steel ONLY on the inside of the kettle. Not just "metal" but stainless steel.

[–]-pH 3 points4 points ago

my solution to this is i pour the remaining water over the sponge in my sink and some down the disposal to kill any bacteria that may be living on it.

[–]violetnightshade 1 point2 points ago

If it has been there a while, I replace it. If not I don't. But I do not taste a difference. I would think that where your water comes from would be what makes the difference (well water vs. city water, mineral content, chlorine, etc.).

[–]digdog303 1 point2 points ago

Important to maximize your tea snobbery(which I encourage) because it does have a subtle effect, but I'd guess that it doesn't really make much of a difference for most people. Filtering is more important than this in my opinion.

[–]JohnLobel 1 point2 points ago

As long as it wasn't originally boiled it should be okay